Week 17

Patriots: This is the one. Can they go undefeated in the regular season and then reach 19-0 with a Super Bowl win? QB Tom Brady riddled the Dolphins to reach 48 TDs (eight interceptions).

Giants: Rookie Ahmad Bradshaw, a seventh-round pick from Marshall, had an astounding day last Sunday as they rolled up 291 rushing yards. WR Plaxico Burress needs 59 yards to reach 1,000. They've got 51 sacks, led by DE Osi Umenyiora's 13.

Streak: Patriots +15, Giants +1

Sizing it up: Giants win this game only with major games from pass rushers Michael Strahan, Justin Tuck and Umenyiora.

Line: Patriots by 13 1/2

Prediction: Giants by 1

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (7-8) AT CHICAGO BEARS (6-9)

Where/when: Soldier Field, 1 p.m., Sunday

TV: 29

Saints: Reggie Bush's longest run is 22 yards, and though he's caught 73 passes, he averages only 5.3 per catch. They're tough when they get close to the end zone. This is a better red-zone offense than the Patriots.

Bears: A win won't salvage a bad season. They went from a hard-driven rushing offense in 2006 to 3.1 per carry in 2007.

Streak: Saints -1, Bears +1

Sizing it up: Chicago won't run, so it will have to depend, as it usually does, on Devin Hester's kick returns and adequate defense. MLB Brian Urlacher is finishing strong for the Bears, and he'll have a good day against a weak New Orleans running game.

Line: Saints by 2

Prediction: Bears by 3

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (10-5) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (3-12)

Where/when: Georgia Dome, 1 p.m., Sunday

Seahawks: They get the No. 3 seed, but is that better than No. 4? They'll probably draw the surging Vikings in the first round and, if they win, have to go to Green Bay instead of Dallas.

Falcons: Team Dysfunction finishes one of its worst seasons, looking for a coach and stability. There will be more head-rolling in the offseason with President Rich McKay being stripped of his powers. They've scored 1 TD on a return while giving up 8.

Streak: Seahawks +1, Falcons -6

Sizing it up: The Seahawks probably will give the starters a half of play, then start pulling them. This is another coast-to-coast trip, and that can be exhausting.

Line: Falcons by 1

Prediction: Seahawks by 10

BUFFALO BILLS (7-8) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (7-8)

Where/when: Lincoln

Financial Field, 1 p.m., Sunday

Bills: After a pretty good second-half run, they don't want to lose the last three. Expect a strong effort and the focus is on rookie QB Trent Edwards, who hasn't been very good since his big day vs. the Dolphins.

Eagles: QB Donovan McNabb has done enough in the second half to warrant another year in Philly, though he has his detractors. They've leaned heavily on RB Brian Westbrook, who leads the league with 101 first downs, 29 of them receiving.

Streak: Bills -2, Eagles +2

Sizing it up: Philly has been mercurial on defense and part of the problem is it isn't getting the big-play turnovers.

Line: Eagles by 7 1/2

Prediction: Eagles by 3

CAROLINA PANTHERS (6-9) AT TAMPA BAY BUCS (9-6)

Where/when: Raymond James Stadium, 1 p.m., Sunday

Panthers: Coach John Fox appears safe for another year, but they need to decide if injured QB Jake Delhomme is their guy. They've had one good win, over Seattle two weeks ago.

Bucs: They rested QB Jeff Garcia on Sunday and he'll probably get reduced time in this one. They're the No. 4 seed and, win or lose. They host the Giants in a wild-card game next weekend.

Streak: Panthers -1, Bucs -1

Sizing it up: Bucs won the previous game between them 20-7. Whoever is throwing for the Bucs should have time against a weak Carolina pass rush (19 sacks). Tampa Bay's offensive line had one of its worst games Sunday.

Line: Panthers by 3

Prediction: Bucs by 7

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (11-4) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (7-8)

Where/when: Reliant Stadium, 1 p.m., Sunday

Jaguars: They've had five consecutive games with at least 400 yards and they're peaking for the playoffs. They excel at ball control with two excellent runners and a quarterback, David Garrard, who has thrown only three interceptions.

Texans: On balance, a good year, even if they lose. Ahman Green was not the running back answer, but the receiving corps is good and they've found two quarterbacks in Matt Schaub and Sage Rosenfels, the former Dolphin.

Streak: Jaguars +3, Texans -1

Sizing it up: Jaguars won the previous game between them and the offense is playing with high confidence.

Line: Texans by 6 1/2

Prediction: Jaguars by 12

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (5-10) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (9-6)

Where/when: Cleveland Browns Stadium, 1 p.m., Sunday

49ers: The worst offense with an average 240.8 yards a game and, though former first-round QB Alex Smith will be back next season, he'll have to re-establish himself with his coaches. They could be looking for another young thrower.